St. Nicholas still under our care - Best school in Lagos: Emeka Ike

Embattled boss of St. Nicholas College and star actor, Emeka Ike has been telling whomever cares to listen that contrary to earlier reports that his school was shut down, his school still operates from its No. 1, Raji Olamideji Crescent, Magodo, Lagos, pending the resolution of disagreement the management has with the original owners of the property.

Talking to Encomium, Emeka

blamed his landlord for the impasse. He said he failed to appreciate the fact that school business is not only capital intensive but requires long time to make profit. That he and his wife had spent millions of naira in the project in the interest of raising up Nigerian kids.

On the allegation of mismanaging the school, the controversial actor said that was the opinion of hatchet 

writers who wouldn't mind their business.  He wondered how people who have no share or any form of investment in St. Nicholas College would accuse its owners of mismanaging it.

He rather clarified that the academic reputation of St. Nicholas College has been the envy of all.  Emeka Ike boasted that his school made one of the best results in external examinations with students making their WASC and GCE in SS2, also citing the unbeatable record of his students at the MTN sponsored 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire' quiz where they won the biggest prize money to emerge the best school in Lagos.

In the same vein, Emeka Ike’s spokesman, Great Imo has pleaded with stakeholders to call internet rats masquerading as newsmen to order.  Blaming the report of alleged shutting down of St. Nicholas College on them, he advised the public to be wary of them.

“Like we have stated, St. Nicholas College was never shut by any authority.  So, please disregard the report in the social media.  There is a calculated attempt here to run down respected Nigerian celebrities who have their names to protect.  The school is still there, pending when it will move to its permanent site. Emeka Ike is not just an A-list actor, he is a brand.  If you go to South Africa, Britain, France and the US, his opinion about Nigeria counts.  He is one man who represents the country well.  So, why must he be rubbished by faceless writers?

We say in totality the story is false.  Yes, there was an issue arising from a kangaroo court judgement which has been vacated because the possession of the said property is still in the care of Emeka Ike.  The school was never shut at any time.

St. Nicholas College is still there, because that is where Emeka Ike has taken a long lease.  The school signboard is still there because that is where the Lagos State government gazetted the school.  We have not announced any relocation.  If there is any development, we would tell you.  Schools are in session. 

Those saying otherwise are deliberately undermining the millions the school owners have invested there over the years.  Emeka Ike has invested millions of naira in the school so as to give the best education to Nigerians.”

St. Nicholas College was allegedly shut by the court on Friday, January 24, 2014, after the school lost a court case in respect of its property. But the school owners have repeatedly stated that the institution can only be closed down by relevant authorities.  And claiming that the order has been vacated, the school management had earlier faulted it since the matter was still on arbitration when the court gave a judgement in favour of the original land owners.

Encomium.

Does Coach Stephen Keshi need a foreign assistant?

Basking in the euphoria of success, Coach Stephen Keshi might arguably be the best the coach in Africa as confirmed at the concluded CAF Award ceremony last month in Lagos. Considering his heroics at the African Cup of Nations and the just concluded CHAN competition in which Coach Stephen Keshi and his men came home with the Bronze Medal no one might be able to lay claims that him being voted the best coach in Africa was wrong move. Now with the World Cup in barely 4 months away and considering the caliber of teams gracing the tournament, we have a cause to review the strength and weaknesses of our dear Coach Stephen Keshi. 

Personally I am a die hard fan of Nigeria and would love for Nigeria to if not get to the Final but to at least make history by reaching the semi's, with football being a very active sport in Nigeria and amongst our youths, Nigeria ought to be parading one of the finest stars at the World Cup. Let us go back to the just concluded CHAN tournament where our local based super eagles came home with bronze and lost to both Mali and Ghana, yes football remains football and often it is said anything can happen in football. But that is often when a good side encounters a bad day at the office. Nigeria is a football power house in Africa with arrays of talent in and out of the shores of the country, But watching our dear super eagles loose to 10 man Ghana on penalties sent some message to me. Now i begin to ask questions, 

Were the players paraded by Coach Stephen Keshi at the just concluded CHAN tournament the best possible legs to get for Nigeria in such a short noitce?

With Ghana down to 10 men would you accept that Coach Stephen Keshi did enough technically to out gun the Ghanians? 

It was almost same case against 10 man Zimbabwe were our super eagles struggled for 72 mins of the game and couldn't capitalize on their weakness, It was an exceptional performance by the boys to come back 3-0 down against Morocco to level terms and go ahead to win, But the question here is, how did they conceive these 3 early goals, 

Our defenders: Azubuike Egwueke is supposed to be the most experienced among the defenders on parade at the competition giving to the fact that he was among the team that won the African Cup of Nations and we expect him to be ontop of his game, But his defensive abilities was called to question many times in the competition mostly against Morocco and Mali. The Nigerian defense was so shabby it exposed the inexperience of the in my opinion the worst player of the tournament Chigozie Agbim the goalie for the super eagles. Not only was he inexperienced, He was also match rusty and hasn't been involved in any form of competitive football, How did he pass Coach Stephen Keshi's screening test or would i say Ike Shorunmu the goalie trainer, During the ongoing CHAN competition i was watching also the Super 4 tournament held in Abuja which saw Enyimba FC of ABA win the tournament and there I saw far more better players, defenders and midfielder. 

I am writing this to ask our fellow football fans, Stephen Keshi might be a good motivator no doubt,

But is he a with his football technics? 

Does he need a foreign technical assistance?

With the World Cup in sight we need the best heads and legs to lead Nigeria to the World cup, Lets not forget what we went through at the Confederations Cup, Our defense was exposed and this has been a reoccurring incident whenever we are playing a more technical side. I personally feel Coach Stephen Keshi with all due respect needs a technical assistant and also a better scout. 

Guys what's your take on this